What causes an eye to pulsate?

A:

Quick Answer

Causes of a pulsating eye include eye infections or irritation, lack of sleep and fatigue and stress, Healthline states. In most cases, eyelid pulsation does not indicate that there is a serious underlying disorder.

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It is not always possible to determine the cause of a pulsating eye. However, some states make it more likely to happen:

Eye infections and irritation

Not sleeping enough and feeling fatigued

Physical exertion

Certain medications

Stress

Consuming coffee, alcohol or tobacco

When the spasms are chronic, certain conditions can make them worse:

Infections like conjunctivitis or blepharitis

Having dry eyes or being exposed to environmental irritants, like wind and air pollution, as well as light sensitivity

Fatigue

Stress

It is rare that a pulsating eye arises because of a serious condition. If it does, there are other symptoms accompanying it that indicate what the condition is. Such conditions include:

Bell's palsy

Dystonia, which is a condition that causes muscles to distort

Cervical dystonia, which causes the neck to spasm, and can make the head contort into uncomfortable positions

Parkinson's disease

Tourette's syndrome

Chronic benign essential blepharospasm is the clinical term for eyes that pulsate regularly. It affects around one in 30,000 adults in the U.S. and is usually diagnosed in middle to late adulthood. Patients who experience their eye pulsating alongside other unusual signs should consult a physician.